There are times when people seem to criticize every thing you say and do, devalue everything you believe, and lie about who you are. But you don’t have to live in the mud they’re trying to drag you into. Your heart and mind live in a very different place.
“God raised us from the dead along with Christ, and seated us with him in the heavenly realms, because we are united with him” (Ephesians 2:6).
Rise above it.
You’re invited to see everyone in this world with the love and grace God does, including the arrogant, hypocritical, and hateful, as well as the helpless, broken, and innocent. From that place, you can better understand Jesus’ words:
“I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you” (Matthew 5:44).
Rise above it.
When you can love those who hate you, you’ll be so in tune with what God is saying is possible, you’ll transform the dirt they tried to drag you into, overwriting every one of their curses with freedom and blessing:
“‘Teacher,’ they said to Jesus, ‘this woman was caught in the act of adultery. The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?’
They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but instead, Jesus stooped down, and wrote in the dust with his finger.
They kept demanding an answer, until Jesus rose up and said, ‘Let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone.’ Then he stooped down again to continue writing in the dust.
When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, ‘Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?’
‘No, Lord,’ she said.
‘Neither do I. Go and sin no more’ (John 8:4-11).
Rise above it. Rise and rise again, until everyone rises with you.
Equip Your Spirit 